What to do if my employment contract promises a free one-way airplane ticket but I’m forced to pay for some of it?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
What to do if my employment contract promises a free one-way airplane ticket but I’m forced to pay for some of it?
I work for a school in China (sent by an American agency that made the contract). My contract promises a free return airplane ticket (to the US) or the equivalent cash according to prices at the end of June. The time that I want to leave (early July) has seen a “surprising” rise in airfare and I have been forced to pay the difference (which was a lot). The language of the contract says I should be enjoying a free airplane ticket or (if I stay in China) cash equal to the end of June market prices. Am I being wronged? Is this a breach of contract?
Asked on May 24, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, North Carolina
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
It is very difficult to give any guidance on questionsthat involve contractual issues without being able to read the contract in question in its totality. But I will try my best here. The way that you have written the clause in the contract on the issues leaves me with a question: was there an assumption under the contract - or maybe even a specific end date - that you would be leaving at the end of June? Does the contract end then? Then would it be correct to interpret the language to mean that they will pay for a ticket back at the end of the contract in June but if you wish to stay longer they will pay the cash equivalent for a ticket for the end of June? You have chosen to stay later. That was a gamble on the airfare prices. You did not win this gamble. I would have someone look at the contact for you. Good luck.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.